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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Air Traffic Controller Schools

9 Colleges in the United States
$19,362 Avg Student Debt
$51,782 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Air Traffic Controller Badge [Air Traffic Controller](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/air-traffic-controller/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong air traffic controller education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value air traffic controller schools.

What’s on this page:

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Finding the Best Value Air Traffic Controller School for You

The right air traffic controller school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Air Traffic Controller Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.

Read more about our methodology

Customizing Your List

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Air Traffic Controller Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

Associate's Degrees in Air Traffic Controller
Bachelor's Degrees in Air Traffic Controller
Master's Degrees in Air Traffic Controller
Doctorate Degrees in Air Traffic Controller

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

See how we build our rankings

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2026 Best Value Air Traffic Controller Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in air traffic controller, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Air Traffic Controller Schools

1

Mt San Antonio College earned the #1 spot for value among air traffic controller schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air traffic controller graduates is $9,384. Air Traffic Controller graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Students looking for strong value in air traffic controller will find it at Sinclair Community College, which ranked #2. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the air traffic controller program here. Air Traffic Controller graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Students looking for strong value in air traffic controller will find it at Tulsa Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the air traffic controller program here. Soon after graduation, air traffic controller degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.

4

Students looking for strong value in air traffic controller will find it at The Community College Of Baltimore County, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air traffic controller graduates is $18,038. Soon after graduation, air traffic controller degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $52,440. Set against $18,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Community College Of Beaver County came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value air traffic controller schools. Set in the suburb of Monaca, Community College Of Beaver County is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,500, while out-of-state students pay about $20,700. Typical student debt for air traffic controller graduates is $13,000. Air Traffic Controller graduates of Community College Of Beaver County earn a median of $45,028 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Aims Community College landed the #6 spot for air traffic controller value this year. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,258, while out-of-state students pay about $11,786. Typical student debt for air traffic controller graduates is $11,199. Early-career air traffic controller graduates make about $45,909. That is a strong return on a $11,199 median debt.

7

Green River Community College placed #7 among the best values for air traffic controller. Green River Community College is a large public school located in the city of Auburn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,711, with out-of-state students paying around $5,263. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,712.

8

University Of Alaska Anchorage placed #8 among the best values for air traffic controller. Set in the city of Anchorage, University Of Alaska Anchorage is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,738, while out-of-state students pay about $21,322. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the air traffic controller program here. Soon after graduation, air traffic controller degree recipients from University Of Alaska Anchorage generally make around $40,796. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Middle Georgia State University came in at #9 for value in air traffic controller this year. Set in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,038, with out-of-state students paying around $16,390. Students borrow a median of $22,700 to complete the air traffic controller program here. Soon after graduation, air traffic controller degree recipients from Middle Georgia State University generally make around $41,028. That is a strong return on a $22,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.

10

Tulsa Technology Center ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value air traffic controller schools. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public university. Typical student debt for air traffic controller graduates is $11,384. Soon after graduation, air traffic controller degree recipients from Tulsa Technology Center generally make around $32,406. That is a strong return on a $11,384 median debt.

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Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University placed #11 among the best values for air traffic controller. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Students borrow a median of $24,873 to complete the air traffic controller program here. Early-career air traffic controller graduates make about $39,228. Set against $24,873 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

12

University Of North Dakota landed the #12 spot for air traffic controller value this year. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for air traffic controller graduates is $22,769. Early-career air traffic controller graduates make about $75,100. Set against $22,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

13

Kent State University At Kent ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value air traffic controller schools. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for air traffic controller graduates is $24,730. Air Traffic Controller graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,730 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

14

Letourneau University earned the #14 position for value in air traffic controller this year. Set in the city of Longview, Letourneau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,160. Air Traffic Controller graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career air traffic controller graduates make about $53,569. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

15

Florida Institute Of Technology came in at #15 for value in air traffic controller this year. Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Melbourne. Students from in state pay about $45,900 in tuition and fees. Air Traffic Controller graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, air traffic controller degree recipients from Florida Institute Of Technology generally make around $47,019. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

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Lynn University crest
Lynn University
Boca Raton, FL

Lynn University placed #16 among the best values for air traffic controller. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Lynn University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for air traffic controller graduates is $21,391. Early-career air traffic controller graduates make about $50,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

17

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott earned the #17 position for value in air traffic controller this year. Located in the city of Prescott, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,974. Typical student debt for air traffic controller graduates is $22,000. Early-career air traffic controller graduates make about $73,296. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

18

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value air traffic controller schools. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,074. Students borrow a median of $20,375 to complete the air traffic controller program here. Early-career air traffic controller graduates make about $71,183. That is a strong return on a $20,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.

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Air Traffic Controller is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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